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The runner didn't interfere with the ability to field the ball. The ball hit the pitcher's glove and bounced away. Took 2 steps for the runner to get to the pitcher after he missed the ball. If the pitcher fielded it cleanly, it would have been a simple tag out. Interference by the runner would have been if he trucked the fielder before the ball even got there.

After the pitcher missed the ball, the runner didn't have any responsibility to avoid the pitcher. I guess going out of the basepath could have been called, but that wasn't so egregious that an umpire would see it in live action. It's not like he was 10 feet out of the basepath like you'll occasionally see when someone tries to break up a double play.

The play isn't over. He is still in the process of trying to field the ball. And even when you are trying to break up a play there is such thing as excessive intentional contact. He completely trucked the guy. The rule may or may not be on his side, but it is still Bush League. I mean, would it be alright him for him to punch the guy in the nads because he is in the basepath and the guy didn't initially field the ball cleanly? It's a player safety issue, and the contact was not necessary. He threw his shoulder right as the guys face going full speed and it looked like the did indeed step out of the base path right at the end to do it.

If you watch the runner, he clearly intended to truck the pitcher, IMO. If you're planning to slide past a potential tag, you're on the right-hand side of the baseline, not running into the field of play. Guy looks like a punk too (although #5's move was a punk move too to a degree).

The play isn't over. He is still in the process of trying to field the ball. And even when you are trying to break up a play there is such thing as excessive intentional contact. He completely trucked the guy. The rule may or may not be on his side, but it is still Bush League. I mean, would it be alright him for him to punch the guy in the nads because he is in the basepath and the guy didn't initially field the ball cleanly? It's a player safety issue, and the contact was not necessary. He threw his shoulder right as the guys face going full speed and it looked like the did indeed step out of the base path right at the end to do it.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. Again, interpretation and the human element go to show why things can be inconsistent in officiating. The way the rules are written concerning collisions favor the runner here. You could argue running out of the basepath, but not the collision itself.

And as for your question about intentionally punching an opponent in the groin, that violates - without a doubt - the fighting rule enforced by the NCAA. That is an automatic ejection and a 4 game suspension, which I believe is what happened to the pitcher, first baseman, and batter because of the brawl in this instance.

Looks like the step or two before contact he veered toward picture. He was intentionally trying to run pitcher over IMO.

But you can do this after they have made contact with the ball and are still in path..if they have the ball are in the line of play and you hit them hard enough and they drop the ball then you are safe...

The runner should have been called out because he chose not to use the running lane that is drawn 45 feet down the first base line to the first base bag. If the runner chooses to run to the left side of the line, then he is responsible for any contact and if he makes contact with a fielder trying to make a play on the ball, then he should be called out.

Concerning an ejection, that would be iffy. Depending on the angle that the umpire had, it could be an offense that would cause an ejection. The question is did the runner attempt to cause malice when he made contact. That would be a judgment call. It may have been best to do some preventive officiating and eject the player in order to let both teams know that the umpires were not going to put up with any more crap.

runner should be called out and ejected. There is a 3 foot running lane on the first base line in fair territory for a reason.

Typical FSU and UF teams.

In this case you would hate to be umping and I would hate to be coaching in the same game, because we clearly don't see the game of baseball the same...he was running full speed and should not have to slow down and change directions for a pitcher to try and make a play...there were 2 fielders coming from 2 different direction impeding his path to the bag...if I were him I would have chosen to follow the white line as well because if he had veered and the tag had missed then everyone would have whined about him being out of the basepath

But you can do this after they have made contact with the ball and are still in path..if they have the ball are in the line of play and you hit them hard enough and they drop the ball then you are safe...

So you are saying the runner has a license to truck the guy because the fielder dropped the ball since he saw he was about to be trucked anyways? Are you serious? There is blowing up guys in baseball unless it is absolutely necessary.

In this case you would hate to be umping and I would hate to be coaching in the same game, because we clearly don't see the game of baseball the same...he was running full speed and should not have to slow down and change directions for a pitcher to try and make a play...there were 2 fielders coming from 2 different direction impeding his path to the bag...if I were him I would have chosen to follow the white line as well because if he had veered and the tag had missed then everyone would have whined about him being out of the basepath

OMG, he went OUT OF HIS WAY to truck the guy in the first place. It was like getting to first base was secondary.

I think we'll just have to agree to disagree. Again, interpretation and the human element go to show why things can be inconsistent in officiating. The way the rules are written concerning collisions favor the runner here. You could argue running out of the basepath, but not the collision itself.

And as for your question about intentionally punching an opponent in the groin, that violates - without a doubt - the fighting rule enforced by the NCAA. That is an automatic ejection and a 4 game suspension, which I believe is what happened to the pitcher, first baseman, and batter because of the brawl in this instance.

I feel like the guy saw he was bigger than the pitcher and tried to use his shoulder in much the way of a punch because saw that the opportunity because of the location of the ball, so he took the opportunity to nail the dude when he didn't have to. He went after him by trying to run him over.

However, I would like everyone who thinks the runner should be ruled out to think of him as a Gamecock player and ask yourself what the appropriate call should have been...That's right, what if it was SC vs. UF?..with a berth in The College World Series at stake.

I talked to my buddy who played college baseball. He said the runner should be safe. He said technically the runner was inside the baseline still and since contact occurred inside the baseline, the correct call is safe. I think it's pretty obvious from watching the clip that the runner made the first choice to initiate contact when he veered slightly left, but I don't believe that changes things because of how the play ended up to the moment of collision. The play happened quickly and you guys want an ump to eject the kid based on your perception of the kids intent. My friend also told me that this is what players are coached to do. The baseline belongs to the runner and the pitcher (not intentionally IMO) came into it without control of the ball at the moment of impact.

I feel like the guy saw he was bigger than the pitcher and tried to use his shoulder in much the way of a punch because saw that the opportunity because of the location of the ball, so he took the opportunity to nail the dude when he didn't have to. He went after him by trying to run him over.

Yeah he saw an opportunity to initiate contact with the fielder when it could have been avoided. That's not a big issue though and, as has been stated many times, it's not his responsibility to avoid contact with the fielder. If he dances around the fielder and avoids him completely, there is a good chance the pitcher or first baseman recovers and throws him out. You're going to take that risk instead of getting the sure base? I wouldn't risk losing an out.